Animals in Switzerland

Looking for native animals from Switzerland? Want to know what animals are most famous and highly prized in Switzerland? Our guide gives you the facts & information you want to know.

This mountainous region is world famous for the beautiful landscape of the area. The Swiss Alps rise high and mighty above the valleys below. Although beautiful, the winters here are brutally cold; making it hard for wildlife to survive. Yet, mother nature provides in even the most inhospitable of places and the animals in Switzerland are uniquely suited to survive here.

Native Animals to Switzerland

The Chamois is a cousin of the goat. At maturity the Chamois stands about 4.5 feet tall and weighs about 110 pounds. The horns on its’ head curve into a hook at the end. It has two white strips running down its’ face and a 6 inch mane (or beard) running down its’ back. This animal in Switzerland is a popular game animal. Locals like to eat the meat of the Chamois, use its’ hide as leather, and use the mane to decorate hats and clothing. The Chamois has become endangered due to over hunting. The Swiss government now has limited how many of these animals can be killed by hunters.

Another cousin of the mountain goat is the Ibex. This animal reaches 3 feet in height and weights 220 pounds. The curved horns on the Ibex have ridges. The animals age can be determined by counting the ridges (two ridges grow every year). These animals’ magnificent horns can weight up to 22 pounds each. A remarkable feature of this animal living in Switzerland is its’ hooves. They have a hard outer rim and a soft middle; allowing the animal to “grab” hold of the rocky mountainside. This animal has been hunted almost to the point of extinction. The locals believe that different parts of this animal can cure diseases.

Animals from Switzerland

One furry little animal in Switzerland is the Marmont. The Marmont closely resembles a chinchilla. It has soft silver-grey fur, and a squirrel like head. These animals live in family units underground. They can be found eating in the valleys and mountainsides. They stock up on food during the spring, and summer, making themselves, “fat and happy” because they hibernate in the winter. Their main worry is birds, snakes, and foxes; which eat these little creatures. Their numbers were dwindling before some of them were placed in a conservation park.

The Alpine Salamander is the only amphibian animal living in Switzerland which gives birth to its’ young. As a form of adaptation, the salamander’s young may stay inside the mother’s body for up to three years. This animals lives in wet areas of the mountainous regions. It survives by eating insects.